Reading Workshop: Unit 1- Building Good Reading Habits-Bend 1

We are ready to start our very first reading unit in first grade. Hooray! It is called Building Good Reading Habits. All of our units of study in reading and writing are divided into parts, called bends. When we start a new "bend", it is like a bend in the road. It is the same road, just a bend. It is the same unit of study, just a slight change in focus to move us forward with our reading. This unit will set the tone for all of the units to come, so it is a very important unit!

The title of the first bend in this unit is called Habits for Reading Long and Strong. The lessons in this bend include:

Readers take a sneak peek to get ready to read

In this session, children learn that readers get their minds ready to read by previewing the text before diving into the work of reading the words.

Readers do something at the end of the book

Students learn that readers don't just push aside a book the moment they finish reading it. Instead, they do something – reread, think back, or talk about it with others.

Readers get stronger by reading more and more

Students learn that readers continually strive to get stronger at reading and that reading more and more books can help strengthen their reading muscles.

Readers set goals to read all day long

In this session, students learn that readers don't need reminders to push themselves to read more. They do this not only during the reading workshop; they make a habit of reading more and more all day long.

Readers reread to make their reading voices smoother

Students learn that readers are in the habit of rereading, and when they do this their reading voices become much smoother.

Readers track with their eyes and scoop up more words

In this session students learn that readers read with their eyes instead of their fingers, out of habit. Readers also practice scooping up more words at a time with their eyes, reading in phrases, instead of word by word.

When readers reread, they see more!

During this lesson, students learn that when they reread, new details emerge and new understandings develop. Readers do this every time they read. It's a habit!